Coach McCarty led the Tigers to an impressive turnaround. Winless in 2009, ECU won 5 games in 2010 and were a score away from winning the LSC North outright. The Tigers improved offensively by 9.5 points and 100 yards per game, while the defense gave up 5 fewer points against a schedule that included three NCAA playoff teams.

Mitchell Gale had a tremendous season at QB for Abilene Christian, completing 65% of his passes for 3,595 yards with 38 TDs and just 3 interceptions. He led the LSC with a QB efficiency rating of 164.1, an improvement of 38.7 points over last season. He is one of nine national finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy.

Josh Birmingham, a red-shirt freshman for Central Oklahoma, led the LSC with 1,250 yards and 18 rushing TDs. He added another 384 yards receiving (and 11 on kick returns) to lead the conference in all purpose yards with 1,645. He also led the league in scoring with 126 yards on 21 total TDs.

Shad Baichtal, a senior from Mission Viejo, led the LSC in tackles for losses with 22, was second in sacks with 10, and first in forced fumbles with 4. His best game came at Northeastern State, where he had 13 solo tackles, with 6 for losses, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.